Hearing problems and flying the S92
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Noise and vibration reduction is biased in favour of the pax who travel in the back once or twice a month
Join Date: Jan 2011
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SM just because the offshore industry has found use for it. doesn't mean that it was the primary design area. from what I have been told from several Agusta staff. The 139 was originally designed to do law enforcement and VIP. and to fly maybe 3-500 hours a year.
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As paddyviking said: Confort is reserved for pax. I drive a VIP EC155 and it's lounge-quiet in the back. The (separated) cockpit is a different story: rotors, fans, wind noise, cold (to get decent temperatures in the front you have to boil the pax alive) and hard seats. And don't even dare to turn on the heat, it's like having a third engine running in the cockpit, but only noise-wise)
What crap EC155.How can you seriously suggest the AW139 was only meant for VIP and police ops !.Aren't you mixing it up with the stretch EC155.....now that does have a limited market.
The AW139 was developed as a bigger and better Bell 412 replacement for all roles...and has succeeded handsome I would say with sales, now approaching the 600 mark.
The AW139 was developed as a bigger and better Bell 412 replacement for all roles...and has succeeded handsome I would say with sales, now approaching the 600 mark.
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Heli1 I'm only saying what I was told by Agusta people. where they have their information from I can only guess.
fact is though although being widely sold. it has some major flaws.
maint. is really heavy and time consuming.\
support on it is slow > IAW the people I've been talking to.
not to mention the tail rotor problems
Im sure there are pro's and con's as with other helicopters. but point is. IMO there are better options out there.
fact is though although being widely sold. it has some major flaws.
maint. is really heavy and time consuming.\
support on it is slow > IAW the people I've been talking to.
not to mention the tail rotor problems
Im sure there are pro's and con's as with other helicopters. but point is. IMO there are better options out there.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Staying in bed every working day,offers the ultimate protection against banging your head,and you get rid of the noise at the same time,and if you are a lonely fellow/lady you do not even have to suffer from vibrations either.
Man I should have thought about that before
good weekend to you all
an ex 92 jockey
Man I should have thought about that before
good weekend to you all
an ex 92 jockey
Rotorhead.....
Anyone with firsthand experience with a Chinook Cockpit knows what I mean by "really really loud"!
All that din does not magically disappear with noise cancelling earphones.
If you are sat next to a 350db transmission (picking a number out of the air here...but suggesting really really loud)...
Anyone with firsthand experience with a Chinook Cockpit knows what I mean by "really really loud"!
All that din does not magically disappear with noise cancelling earphones.
Join Date: Sep 2005
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S-92 Noise Levels
Good Day Everyone;
I've been flying the S-92 for about 1300 hours. The first 800 was using a Bose Aviation X headset. Besides going through about twice as many batteries as it did in an S-61 or AS-332, it worked fine.
Last summer I started wearing a Gallet LH-250 with CEP. Since then I notice the noise level is quite a bit higher, especially in the low frequency range generated by the rotor system. (It is quite a bit louder in the right seat than the left seat too.)
High noise levels in the S-92 is common knowledge and I'm wondering what other S-92 pilots are wearing for sound protection and how it is working out for you. Helmet, headset, ANR, CEP, combinations....
Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
RH
I've been flying the S-92 for about 1300 hours. The first 800 was using a Bose Aviation X headset. Besides going through about twice as many batteries as it did in an S-61 or AS-332, it worked fine.
Last summer I started wearing a Gallet LH-250 with CEP. Since then I notice the noise level is quite a bit higher, especially in the low frequency range generated by the rotor system. (It is quite a bit louder in the right seat than the left seat too.)
High noise levels in the S-92 is common knowledge and I'm wondering what other S-92 pilots are wearing for sound protection and how it is working out for you. Helmet, headset, ANR, CEP, combinations....
Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
RH
We've been using Senheissers with ANR and aircraft power source, with no complaint, for 5 years. We are now transitioning to Alpha helmets with ANR - too soon for feedback
Join Date: Jan 2007
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We use Bose A20 headsets, Gallet LH250's fitted with CEP's and others modified with the Bose A20 system -- these are the most common in use here with 100+ pilots.
Of course there are one or two other types in use but the above have been adopted by the company as they seem to be the most effective.
It seems to be very much what suits the individual pilot, for me I use Gallet helmet with CEP's as I get better radio reception.
I would love to hear if there could be a system that incorporates CEP with the Bose ANR to get the best of both
Regards
Pv
Of course there are one or two other types in use but the above have been adopted by the company as they seem to be the most effective.
It seems to be very much what suits the individual pilot, for me I use Gallet helmet with CEP's as I get better radio reception.
I would love to hear if there could be a system that incorporates CEP with the Bose ANR to get the best of both
Regards
Pv
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protection is worth the price
This FAA site Aircraft Noise Levels Appendix 10 and 11 provides the noise ratings of most helicopters. Nonetheless, it would be wise to get a db meter and check it out for yourself. In the past we built and tested rocket engines and as such measured the db levels and then had head sets made specifically for the noise environment. The cost was about $300 per set but none of us have hearing issues, so well wort it.
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QuietPro100Ex
The earplug QP100eX will soon be tested in a helicopter cockpit. The plug was primarily aimed for offshoreworkers in an noisy environment, but might be efficient for pilots.
Google QP100eX and you will find interesting data regarding the earplug. Built in ANR, dosimeter that records the amount of noise with a microphone inside the earcanal and built in microphone for speak (no need for mouth microphone).
OMP
Google QP100eX and you will find interesting data regarding the earplug. Built in ANR, dosimeter that records the amount of noise with a microphone inside the earcanal and built in microphone for speak (no need for mouth microphone).
OMP
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Thank you for the replies and information. Yes, I think to a point individual preferences are important. When I've finished my research, I'll post it here for all.
RH
RH
Join Date: Dec 2011
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I use a flight helmet, with CEP and molded earplugs from westone.com they make them specifically to adapt to the CEP. Many places around the US to get the molds poured, listed on thier website.
4000 hours in H-60 an S-61, and no hearing problems to date.
4000 hours in H-60 an S-61, and no hearing problems to date.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Another one bites the dust
I have officially become a casualty of the S-92A (SAR Config) acoustic war. After about two years flying it in the SAR config, I was rewarded with strong tinnitus, and hearing loss above 6 kHz. So what is the 'magic combination of Helmet/ANR/CEP/Ear-Plugs that will make this outrageously loud cockpit acoustically safe for those who have to fly it? 
There are going to be many hard-of-hearing S-92 veterans in the not so distant future!
Tried ALPHA helmet with upgrades, currently GALLET 250 with CEP and custom ear moulds.
Is there a good Helmet / ANR solution??? Money is no object.
Join Date: May 2012
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Bonjour Rotor124,
First let me say that English is not my first language. Many friends say I barely can speak it. So wordalogy may be lacking. Beer with me.
I am a fairly new pilot who has just been told that there may be a chance i can fly some S&R very soon but you have now made me Wonder as you are one of the first i have read about that is not flying the new Sikorsky model now.
So, to help in my choice is it able to get some more détails from you and a number of issues. A little history first, if possible you can answer, thèse will aid me in my choice to carry out a career in S&R in the S92.
How long have you be flying in cockpit?
Hours total and years?
Have you flown loud helo’s before….I once saw a 214ST and thought that was 2 as loud as the model of yours?
Did you have a exteinsive carreer that gave early damage? Some of thèse vertical rep giuys spend 10 hours a day oustide.
Relating to your currrent position…. If damage was done in two years you guys must fly hard. How many mission a day? How many hours with that big S&R door open? Do you do multiple missions daily? Is hover time long? Average hours in a month / week? Is there a notoceable increase with S&R door open rather closed?
I hope you may aid in my quieries as I would not want to loose my Herring! I wish you many joyful days ahead.
Are others in your S&R coleques reporting same.
ILS – I Love Smurfs!
First let me say that English is not my first language. Many friends say I barely can speak it. So wordalogy may be lacking. Beer with me.
I am a fairly new pilot who has just been told that there may be a chance i can fly some S&R very soon but you have now made me Wonder as you are one of the first i have read about that is not flying the new Sikorsky model now.
So, to help in my choice is it able to get some more détails from you and a number of issues. A little history first, if possible you can answer, thèse will aid me in my choice to carry out a career in S&R in the S92.
How long have you be flying in cockpit?
Hours total and years?
Have you flown loud helo’s before….I once saw a 214ST and thought that was 2 as loud as the model of yours?
Did you have a exteinsive carreer that gave early damage? Some of thèse vertical rep giuys spend 10 hours a day oustide.
Relating to your currrent position…. If damage was done in two years you guys must fly hard. How many mission a day? How many hours with that big S&R door open? Do you do multiple missions daily? Is hover time long? Average hours in a month / week? Is there a notoceable increase with S&R door open rather closed?
I hope you may aid in my quieries as I would not want to loose my Herring! I wish you many joyful days ahead.
Are others in your S&R coleques reporting same.
ILS – I Love Smurfs!
Join Date: Feb 2007
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I have flown a bit over 3000 Hrs in the S92. The last 1000 approx using a Gallet helmet and ear normal plugs instead of the Gallet earplugs with speakers. I fly around 700 hrs a year up to about 7 hrs a day some days. I have no hearing problems at all. No tinnitus or major hearing loss since using the helmet. There was some hearing loss before, but it has not developed at all since. I have regular hearing tests to check. Not everyone likes wearing a helmet for comfort reasons, but I find it very comfortable and easy to use. It is a lot more comfortable than the old military Mk 4 I used earlier.